Ian Garry is claiming that Shavkat Rakhmonov holds him in such high esteem that he recognizes championship potential within him.
Both undefeated fighters are poised to collide in a five-round welterweight showdown, expected to determine the next title challenger. The high-stakes bout is set to serve as the co-main event for UFC 310 on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The Future” was originally slated to headline the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14 against Joaquin Buckley. However, with reigning 170-pound champion Belal Muhammad withdrawing from the UFC 310 main event due to a bone infection, he swiftly answered the call to face Rakhmonov on short notice.
Garry and Rakhmonov are no strangers to each other’s skills and strengths, having previously shared training sessions at the renowned Kill Cliff FC gym in Florida.
During the UFC 310 Countdown show, Garry mentioned that Kill Cliff FC head coach Henri Hooft relayed Rakhmonov’s view that the Irishman possesses championship potential, though he made it clear it wouldn’t be at the cost of his own goals.
“Me and Shavkat trained a lot together,” Garry said. “I think he’s a phenomenal fighter. Henri Hooft told me Shavkat Rakhmonov and him had a conversation, and he said ‘Shavkat knows you’re going to be the champion one day. But he says ‘Me first and him later.’ So. It’s unfortunate that one of us is going to have to lose. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that he’s not getting his hand raised.”
“The Future” is riding high after securing a commanding unanimous decision win over Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 303 in June, pushing his perfect promotional record to 8-0.
Meanwhile, “Nomad” boasts an unblemished 6-0 streak in the UFC, making his comeback after more than a year away from the Octagon. His last appearance was a submission victory over Stephen Thompson at UFC 296 in December 2023.
